Thursday, June 27, 2013

Yes, Kristin Omdahl has done it
again! What has she done? She wrote another great book! I am a bookaholic –
that is a word I made up (I think) to describe someone who collects books.
Especially crochet books. I have old crochet books, new crochet books, hard
copies and e-books. (Sometimes 2 of one book.) I like to look at them, and get
inspiration from them. I usually don't work a pattern from them, because I have
my own individual style, and I design my own patterns. What I like about
certain books is that they show a stitch pattern, or a crocheted item, and it
triggers something in me – I see what they show, and I think "How can I do
this in my style?" I don't want to copy what I see, I want to use what I
see to create something entirely new. That's why I have so many books. To give
me lots of ideas. And that's why I get excited when Kristin has a new book out.
I get so many ideas from her books.

This new one – The Finer Edge –
published by Interweave/F+W Media; for $22.95, is just such a book.
(Disclaimer: I was sent a copy of the book by F+W Media to review.) Kristin
starts out with a "stitch" dictionary of edgings – and divides them
into 4 types – top-down, bottom-up, side-to-side, and miscellaneous edgings.
They are organized by construction, and Kristin explains how to add them to the
fabric – either before, during, or after you crochet the fabric. Then, she has 10 actual patterns using her edgings - as fabric and edgings. She even explains how to turn corners with edgings!

So I tried one of the edgings that intrigued me, (the Woven
Ribbon on page 68) and after I was finished I realized that even though it was
in the miscellaneous edgings, it could easily be a top-down edging, crocheted
directly on the fabric when the piece was done. I could use it in my designs, with or without the woven ribbon. I could change the mesh with different stitches and different numbers of chains and skipped stitches. Lots of ideas. That's what Kristin's books do for me!

I also like the tips that Kristin adds – how to use the edgings as edgings,
and how to use them in other designs. You can use them as scarves, cowls, complete
fabric for a sweater or afghan or pillow, or whatever else you can think of.
She presents pleated edgings that form a sort of a ruffle, edgings that make
their presence known, and edgings that are laid back but brilliant. You can
work the edgings in any yarn, from #1 to #6, and you'll get a different look,
and a different use.

I did the Woven Ribbon edging in a thick worsted weight wool
from Briggs & Little. I loved how it showed the stitches, and I thought this
would make a great scarf – the mesh background, with only one or two of the
rows woven with the ribbon. And the ribbon, worked in a bulky yarn, would make
a good scarf, or belt, or sash. And what about 2 rows of the mesh in a nylon
yarn, woven with a nylon ribbon – a great tote handle! (See what I mean by
great books? They get your creativity flowing!)

Here are some pictures I took of my swatches;

Above is the mesh part of the Woven Ribbon.

This is the Ribbon - it would make a great narrow scarf, or a belt or sash.

The is the Woven Ribbon - with 2 rows woven.

Another interesting edging - a version of Bruge's Lace.

Finally, the Slip Stitch Textured edging.

This is a book that I am glad is in my book collection. And you can have it in your collection, too. You can purchase this book at:Amazon

Straight From Today's Designers

About Me

I am a crochet designer, author, tech editor, and teacher - both locally and nationally. I am the Past President of the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) - 2010 - and a teacher at their Chain Link Conferences.
The "Dr." title is legit - I do have a Ph.D.
I am also a Craftsy instructor. Check out my class at: www.craftsy.com/ext/MartyMiller_4809_F